Surveillance (2006) User Reviews

An honest opinion ..........

[merklekranz · 6/10 · 19 December 2009]

Better than you might expect from a low budget thriller. The cast, Armand Assante, Nick Cornish, and Laurie Foster, give good performances. Initially the script is fine, as the story unfolds of a mall security guard who tries to control everyone who works there. His strong arming and blackmail puts a certain edge on the film that is always present. If the script had not been altered to inject a hardly developed horror element, the film would have benefited. There simply is too much left unexplained relating to the mannequins and the missing persons. Finally, the let's leave room for a sequel ending, seems totally out of place. "Surveillance" is very watchable, but could have been better. - MERK

Surveillance

[Scarecrow-88 · 5/10 · 16 August 2010]

Obsessive surveillance expert, Harley(Armand Assante), who has multiple screens set up in a city's mall to keep a look out for any possible shoplifting or other suspicious activity, is to teach a college kid, Dennis(Nick Cornish), on probation the ropes. Harley has a seemingly unsavory interest in Assistant Manager Claire(Laurie Fortier), who may get the job of her predecessor, Ben(Robert Rusler) who was caught(by Harley)stealing goods(plasma television)using his position as a means to do so. Claire hates Harley, thinks he's a creep, and knows that he is keeping a close eye on her. Harley resents those who are able to climb the corporate ladder, the fast track, in a small period of time, and he's quite vocal to Claire about this when she acquires her new position after superior Ben's arrest. There's an obvious dark side to Harley, and it's not just the way he goes about his job, but certain extra curricular activities which involves shoplifters who might've gotten out of the mall with stolen merchandise. A room Harley keeps locked(used to be the boiler room before it was shut down), a mannequin's eyes move(..when Dennis leaves the room where the mannequins are stored), and those who had shoplifted from the mall mysteriously vanish without a trace..I think it's easy to see that Harley is behind something malicious and it'll be up to Dennis to take him down.

Asante is always intense and intimidating when he has a character that requires for him to be. His Harley is so devoted to his job, he demands excellence from his new protégé. Harley wants to toughen Dennis up, and allows him to collar a street thug who wields a razor at him..Harley doesn't come to his aid, allowing Dennis to stand up for himself, resulting in the street thug's beat down. Harley is hung up on usefulness, purpose, and when shoplifters get a slap on the wrist despite their theft, he feels he must mete out proper justice. But, his adversaries, Claire and Dennis, are up for the challenge of getting rid of their nuisance. Cameras everywhere, his eyes always following them, Harley has outstayed his welcome for quite some time. You know that Harley will have a psychotic break when Dennis discovers that he's been forging check(Dennis' checks) with Claire's name and spending them, which leads to his possible suspension/dismissal..take away the career that is the blood that courses through a man's veins and he's bound to snap. Preposterous ending suggests that Harley is superhuman(how can any human being take a hypodermic to the chest and a tank to the skull and still get back up as if nothing happened?), as Claire and Dennis defend themselves against him as he comes after them. Fans of Assante will probably want to check SURVEILLANCE out, he is the whole show.

Average TV movie

[pkpera · 5/10 · 24 September 2007]

I found it in DVD rental, and took it in lack of better promises. It started interesting, and was good until some 60%. But ending is very disappointing. Nothing is explained, dead bodies just appear everywhere... It looks that producer(s) ran out of money (or ideas?). There were some minor clues to explain Assante's characters behavior, but all it was not enough for build story (and of course character). Even romantic relation between rookie and blondie was interrupted - just like that :(

With better ending it could be solid thriller.

Acting was good for this level of production. Watch it only if appears on TV.

Could have been better

[[e-mail] · 5/10 · 1 June 2008]

I had been dying to see this movie, mainly because I'm a huge fan Of Nick Cornish and I wasn't disappointed with his role at all. My gripe was with Armand Assante. I could barely understand a word he said! But overall, I think the movie lacked several things. It could have been great. It needed more scare factor, a little more romance. I little more of the nasty stuff. Just a little more of everything, I guess. Still, it was watchable. The acting was good, other than Assante's dialogue. His fellow Americans probably didn't find it an issue, but being a Brit, found it really hard going. Managed to get this movie on DVD (all be it Region 1. Technology, a wonderful thing ;))

Tough to take seriously...

[innocuous · 4/10 · 10 March 2008]

when the first few scenes show video surveillance cameras mounted to the walls without any coaxial cables or power connected to the cameras. Similarly, the cameras are all monochrome (black & white) instead of color, even though the security office uses nice flat-screen monitors. (Yes, I'm in the business.) I have to agree, too, with the other reviewers who have pointed out that not many corporations hire people with criminal records specifically for their own security operations.

This is a very over-the-top movie, with some suspense thrown into the mix, but it is just totally unbelievable. I think it might actually make a nice subject for MST3K.

Too many questions without answers

[FloridaFred · 6/10 · 31 December 2018]

Does one security guard with an assistant cover an entire mall, including every department store, and payroll, and computer security? Seems like a stretch. Nick Cornish was great, but casting a 30 year old to play a college student is pushing it. Speaking of 30-something, would 32-year old Laurie Foster be the acting manager of the entire mall? Okay, I can look past those scenarios. But what's up with the horror scenes? There is never any finality to the scene with the living mannequin. What happens to the bodies of the tortured victims? Finally, how does someone grow their hair that long in such a hurry (maybe a wig)? Entertaining, but needed some closure.

Highly recommended mystery/action thriller

[canenas · 10/10 · 5 October 2007]

Harley is a reclusive mall security guard whose life's obsession is to apprehend potential shoplifters through a state-of-the-art electronic surveillance network. Trouble is, the would-be shoplifters mysteriously disappear. Dennis, Harley's young apprentice, starts to dig into the shady past of his introvert boss. What he discovers is not very pleasant.

The concept behind "Surveillance" escapes the stereotypical clichés of the genre. The movie is solidly built around a robust script with emphasis on plot and character development rather than special effects. Armand Assante delivers a convincing performance as the enigmatic Harley. Direction is by legendary director Fritz Kiersch, whose credits include the cult horror classic "Children of the Corn." The producers include none other than Academy Award winner Gray Frederickson, whose resume boasts "Apocalypse Now" and the "Godfather" series. The production was filmed for very little money in Oklahoma City. Especially notable is the production design by Rebekah Bell and the art department who managed to pull off a credible job on a shoestring budget.

This is an awesome movie!

[mburns22 · 8/10 · 22 January 2006]

This is an amazing film... i would pay to own this movie!! It is a thriller that will have you glued to your chair until the last minute! I believe that the acting by Armand Assante was fabulous. It was his best performance since "The Mambo Kings." Nick Cornish, a new inspiring actor did an excellent job.

The filmography is unbelievable. The director, Mr. Fritz Kiersh is a professional. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I hope that everyone who reads this comment will see Surviellance... you'll regret not seeing it! I know that all of you will enjoy it! I LOVE THIS MOVIE I LOVE THIS MOVIE I LOVE THIS MOVIE I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

Fantastic work!

[scat1941 · 10/10 · 12 August 2012]

Enjoyed this film 100%. Not only was it dramatic, from blackmail, to murder. (Armand Assante) played a really great bad guy,(Harley). The setting of the movie took place during the holiday season, which is a beautiful time to fall in love. And that set the stage for the wonderful romance that developed between Dennis (Nick Cornish), and Claire (Laurie Fortier). Amist all the drama unfolding at this department store, being terrorized by this creepy loss prevention supervisor that would stop at nothing, and their very lives at stake, they turned to each other and worked as a team. Hope to see these actors a lot more in the near future. Didn't know of this movie until I just happened to catch it on a cable TV channel, but turned out to be a very nice find. Not to be confused with several other movies with the same name, the plot and setting was very strong in this film. and the ending didn't disappoint. Wonderful acting and script writing. Kudos to writer (David Golden), and director (Fritz Kiersch). This movie hit its mark..